Anyone know about Paternity leave - when starting a new job?

maggsy105

Anyone know about Paternity leave - when starting a new job?
Hi guys,
Hope someone could shead some light on the situation I have.
I had been working for my current company for over a year, my GF became pregnant in Jan of 2011 - baby is due on the 23/09/11 - I have applied for paternity leave with my current employer and this has gone through and is fine.
To my main point - I applied for a job, closer to home more money and better prospects - I didn't really think I would be successful but I got the job. The screening process is currently being done, but I have been told I have passed the credit and security checks just awaiting my references to come back which Imp pretty sure will be fine. I have not yet however told my new employees that my GF is pregnant and a baby is due on the 23/09/11. I have to give my current employees 4 weeks notice which I was not planning to give until I have the full offer in writing and a start date. I was just wondering what you think I should do, should I tell my new employer asap before given full confirmation of start date or should I wait for the full confirmation?
If I can drag this out two more weeks the baby due date should be covered by my notice period with my current employee, I just don't want to start a new job and find that the baby is late. My new employee is a major UK retail bank and a weeks training is needed hence why I don't want to be away - anyone know what the policy is on new starters and pregnancy?

YORKSHIRELASS

As you wouldnt qualify for Statutory Paternity Leave your employer has no legal obligation to let you take time off - but I think there are very few employers who would say no.

Personally I think the sooner that you tell them the better, otherwise you are going to end up in a really awkward situation if the baby is late and your employer has made arrangements for you to do your initial training. Its a few years since I was pregnant but I think I was told that I would be allowed to go up to 2 weeks over my due date if there were no complications with my pregnancy.

At the end of the day its just bad timing, not your fault, and I think you just need to explain the situation.

Jarndyce

For statutory, paid paternity leave you have to have been employed for 26 weeks before the 15th week before the birth, and if your contract ends before the birth, you lose your entitlement.

So if you are with your new employer by then you need to negotiate with them - they may have a policy and/or be sympathetic given that you would have qualified if you were with yuor old employer, or at the very least grant you unpaid leave.

maggsy105

Thanks guys, as soon as my reference check comes back I will tell them exactly what is happening. Its not the paternity leave thats the problem - (I was fully aware I would not be entilitled to it with new employee) it was more the fact I dont want to make it difficult for my new employee - but again dont want to miss the birth of my first child.

bluenoseam

Your new employer may be sympathetic and allow you to attend the birth & perhaps take a day's unpaid leave, however as you're the new guy on board i wouldn't expect this, so start praying that your wife goes into labout at 5.45pm or on your day off!

Good luck though

[Deleted User]

I started my job 4 months ago with a new firm.. they offered statuary leave, but ended up taking 2 weeks holiday instead.

PS. Good luck, my wife is due next friday!

Any

It is not uncommon for people to start a new job and already have holidays in place. Though normally this is discussed as a part of negotiation process so the employer knows this when they are sorting out things. Be straight with them, I doubt they will be bothered. As long as you are straight.

surreysaver

You are entitled by law to time off when your partner goes into labour under the Time off for Dependants. Unfortunately, only female employees are entitled to a year off regardless of their length of service; men have to have had been employed for 9 months to get two weeks off. That's equality in action for you - females are more equal than males.

Jarndyce

surreysaver wrote: »

You are entitled by law to time off when your partner goes into labour under the Time off for Dependants. Unfortunately, only female employees are entitled to a year off regardless of their length of service; men have to have had been employed for 9 months to get two weeks off. That's equality in action for you - females are more equal than males.

Oh please.

Doesn't quite sit with the claim in your signature, does it!

Jarndyce

Googlewhacker wrote: »

lol he does have a point though...

Are you seriously suggesting that men should have the same paternity benefits as women get maternity benefits?? :shocked:

[Deleted User]

Never, ever, ever going to happen.

There are biological reasons, why a woman may need more 'leave'
- less sleep, due to 'on demand' breast feeding
- recuperation after cesarean section
- recovery from post-natal depression

Also, you don't really need 2 people, full time, to look after a baby. You certainly do need one of them bringing in an income. I know that I couldn't afford to take 6 months statuary paternity pay, nor could most people.

Blimey, the last thing I would want is 6 months leave. Last time I took 5 weeks, that was great.. but I was still quite glad to get back to work.